Three local sources in Bwito chiefdom told the Group they would regularly see CNRD and FARDC officers having meetings.FARDC officers told the Group that this was due to the high-quality intelligence they could gather from CNRD officers to help capture Mudacumura. CNRD also cohabitated with FARDC elements at revenue-generating checkpoints, for instance near the localities of Katsiru, Bweru and Kashuga.

31. In September 2016, CNRD supported FARDC operations aimed at capturing senior FDLR leaders near Kamondoka and Kiyeye. In October 2016, the Group witnessed the friendly handover from CNRD to FARDC in Katsiru. Three FARDC elements told the Group that they were “here with CNRD now”. Civilians confirmed that as FARDC reached Katsiru, CNRD began preparing for an orderly retreat to take up surrounding positions.

32. The Group could not establish whether and to what extent this collaboration was sanctioned or known to the FARDC hierarchy.

The Group sent an official communication to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in June 2017 but has not yet received a reply.”